Confessions of a oenophile: reviews of highly rated wines, grocery store finds, and all other kinds.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Bodega Catena Malbec

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec 2010

www.catenawines.com

Medoza, Argentina

This Malbec is just so lovely. Not a helpful descriptor, I know, but it seems to fit. It's also not terribly expensive -- and you can find it at your neighborhood grocery! (I got it at Costco...)Review: The wine has a strong nose of black fruits, like cassis and black cherries. On the palate the fruit still shines, but there's also a nice little herbal note of fennel. The wine is completely dry (only 2 g/l residual sugar), but the fruit tastes a touch sweet and jammy. There's a pleasantly long finish and super smooth tannins.

The most interesting Argentine Malbecs are sourced from high-altitude vineyards and Catena is certainly no exception. The fruit for this Malbec comes from the family´s vineyards high up in Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo, Tupungato and San Carlos.

Food Pairing: For some reason, this wine made me want a roast turkey sandwich. With andouille sausage stuffing. Something just a touch savory. If anyone's having turkey at Easter (tomorrow), please save me your leftovers...

Bottom Line:Catena is more or less the father of Argentine Malbec, and there's a mighty fine reason. I dig it, especially at this price point.